Drunk Driving: A Common Cause of Traffic Accidents

Navigate any news website and you will realize that a significant portion of car accidents are caused by drunk driving. It is a reckless behavior that is up there with speeding as one of the most common causes of traffic accidents.

Alcohol and Its Effects on Driving Capability

But why is drunk driving so dangerous? This is because of the effects of alcohol in the body. It can compromise a person’s body coordination, ultimately leading to poor vehicle control. It can also compromise mental strength, ultimately leading to poor comprehension of the objects and events on the road and slow reaction time. There is also the emotional distress and reckless tendency of those who are under the influence of alcohol.

People drive while drunk mainly because of confidence that nothing bad is going to happen to them. They will go home without crashing, and they will not be pulled over by a police officer. It is the local government’s responsibility to remove this mindset.

Local Government’s Role in Drunk Driving Prevention

The local government can do a lot of preventive measures, like creating an anti-drunk driving campaign, spreading awareness regarding the dangers of drunk driving, setting up sobriety check points in strategic locations in the city to increase the chances of arrest, and creating laws that will further deter the deed.

Drunk driving is already illegal all throughout the United States. A convicted drunk driver can face numerous penalties, including fines, license suspensions, probations, and worst of all, jail times. Also, according to the website of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ®, those who have been hurt because of drunk drivers may get justice and compensation. In other words, if a drunk driver has injured someone else, he may have additional liabilities other than the penalties he may face.

How Drivers Can Avoid Drunk Driving Themselves

To avoid drunk driving, a person can either avoid being drunk so he can drive safely or avoid driving so he can be drunk as much as he wants without liability. The former is simple, because you can always just say no to your friends and control your alcohol consumption. But the latter can be complicated, especially if you haven’t made any plans.

To avoid the driving part, just leave the car at home if you are planning to go party the night out. You can take public transport. If you already have the car with you, you should get a designated driver or just stay put. The key is to let a sober person drive for you, either a public transport driver or a sober person you know.